It’s the little things

I have always resisted the commonly held view that face to face is the best form of communication. It is possible to dissemble face to face, to wear a uniform that conveys authority, or to bully with shear presence. These are all harder online.

But…

It is becoming clear that without the ability to catch someone in a corridor, glance meaningfully across a meeting table, or see someone visibly relax when you praise them, work life becomes harder.

Millions of people around the world are having to adjust to working online most of the time. Endless video calls, trying desperately to attract attention in chat groups, making assumptions based on poorly written emails. It is taking its toll.

We need to pay even more attention to each other’s needs, to be more aware of our impact, to be more compassionate in our new, distortedly connected, world.